Accreditations

Sample collection - procedure for
sampling asbestos, lead

Precautions
to
be used when sampling

The homeowner or
the individual
taking
samples must use appropriate
personal protection
equipment,
e.g. disposable gloves and mask.

Additional
precautions for asbestos
- 3-M masks are not adequate protection when
taking asbestos
samples.
In order to prevent asbestos
release, mist
the
suspected area first with water to reduce the chance of
releasing
asbestos
fibers into the air.Mail the sample
with the
laboratory
fee of $45.00. Multiple samples in the same
shipment are $24.00
each.

Asbestos may be
found in
sprayed-on
acoustic ceilings (cottage cheese type), vinyl floor
tile,
linoleum
backing, insulation and stucco in buildings built before 1979. It is found
occasionally
in structures built after 1979.

1- For vinyl floor
tile and
linoleum
samples, take a 1 to 2 inch sample. Include the
mastic/glue on the
back
since it frequently contains asbestos.
2- For ceiling tile and stucco samples or any material that is friable,
mist the suspected area
first with
water.
This reduces the chance of releasing asbestos
fibers into
the
air. Clean up any debris to make certain that none
of the
suspect
asbestos becomes airborne.

Take a one-half
teaspoon
sample.
Place the sample in a double zip-lock bag.
Include a
check
for $45.00. Multiple samples in the same shipment are $45
for the first and $24.00
each additional.
Mastic
and floor tile are 2 samples.

Lead
in Paint

Peeling paint
around wooden
window
and door frames and seals are areas of concern.

1- Take about
one-half teaspoon
(approximately
0.5 grams) of sample and place inside a
zip-lock bag.

2- Mail the sample
with the
laboratory
fee of $45.00. Multiple samples in the same
shipment are $24.00
each.

The sample container should be an unused, precleaned, screw-capped
bottle
of glass or low density (conventional) polyethylene and capable of
holding
at least 1 liter. It is recommended that the use of polypropylene
bottles
be avoided since problems of particulates being released into water
samples
have been observed. Ideally, water samples are best collected in
glass bottle. However; glass can have significant levels of
asbestos on the
surfaces, and therefore, requires careful cleaning before use.
Glass
is also difficult to ship because of possible breakage through dropping
or
freezing; Because of these disadvantages, polyethylene
bottles
are more convenient to use, and therefore, are recommended-

The bottles should first be rinsed twice by filling approximately
one-third
full with fiber-free water and shaking vigorously for 30
seconds.
After discarding the rinse water, the bottles should then be filled
with
fiber-free water and treated in an ultrasonic bath for 15 minutes,
followed
by rinses with fiber-free water.

Sample
Collection

The general principles of obtaining water samples apply. Some
specific
considerations apply to asbestos fibers because they are a special type
of
particulate matter. These fibers are small, and in water, range
in
length from O.1 µm to 20 µm
or
more.

Because of the range of sizes there may be a vertical distribution of
particle
sizes in large bodies of water. This distribution may vary with
depth
depending upon the vertical distribution of temperature, the water
current
patterns and the local meteorological conditions. Sampling should
take
place according to the objective of the analysis. If a
representative
sample of a water supply is required, a carefully designated set of
samples
should be taken representing the vertical as well as the horizontal
distribution, and these samples should be composited for analysis.

When sampling from a faucets remove all hoses or fittings and allow the
water
to run to waste for a sufficiently long period to ensure that the
sample
collected is representative of fresh water. Faucets or
valves
should not be adjusted until all samples have been collected. If
possible,
sampling at hydrants and at the ends of distribution systems should be
avoided.

As an additional precaution against contamination, before collection of
the
samples, each bottle may be rinsed several times in the source water
being
sampled. In the case of depth sampling in bodies of water, this
rinsing
may compromise the results and should be omitted.

Quantity of Sample

At least 800 milliliters of sample is required. Ideally, two
separate
samples should be collected. The second bottle is stored for
analysis
if confirmation of the results obtained from the analysis of the first
bottle
is required. An air space of approximately 1" must be left in the
bottle
to allow efficient redispersal of settled material before analysis and
for
ozone treatment if necessary.

Sample Preservation
and Storage

Samples must be transported to the analytical laboratory as soon as
possible
after collection. Date and time of sampling must be noted on
submittal
forms. The names of the collectors with their signatures and the
site
must included on the chain-of-custody forms. If the samples do
not
arrive within 48 hours of sampling at EMS, they must be treated with
ozone-UV
at the laboratory to remove bacteria. No preservatives should be added
during
sampling; the addition of acids should be particularly avoided.

Methodologies

Samples are prepared and analyzed by the method described in the EPA
600
R 94 134, 100.2. The new drinking water regulation calls
for
an MCL (maximum contaminant level) of 7 MFL fibers, >10 µm in
length and
an analytical sensitivity level of <0.2 MFL (millions of
fibers
per liter). Asbestos analysis for all size fibers is performed by
the
method described in EPA 600/4-83-043 and EPA 600 R 94 134, 100.1,
if
the additional information regarding the total asbestos content is
required.